Save Tookie?

[Thudpucker]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4509660.stm

Pretty much the poster child for Prison reform. What do you think, can people really change, redeem themselves of any act? And if they can, and do become different people (as this man apparently has) should they still be put to death?

[Gavin]

I'm glad that he feels remorse for what he's done, but I think he still needs to pay for the crimes he committed.

[copypastepuke]

im not a big fan of the death penalty. so that pretty much answers the poll.

[Ray G.]

I oppose the death penalty. But as long as it's legal, it needs to be carried out. The only time a person should be spared is if there's doubt about his guilt.

[Thudpucker]

I oppose the death penalty. But as long as it's legal, it needs to be carried out. The only time a person should be spared is if there's doubt about his guilt.

As long as it's legal, something wrong needs to be carried thru? Assuming you do believe it's wrong since you oppose it, that is an odd view.

[Ray G.]

As long as it's legal, something wrong needs to be carried thru? Assuming you do believe it's wrong since you oppose it, that is an odd view.

I don't believe it's wrong. I believe it's pointless. However, he did the crime, he deserves to die. And since the US Government has determined that the death penalty should exist, this is one case where it should definitely be carried out. This is a man who murdered four people in cold blood. If I would have to commute a death sentence, it would be of a young man who was in a holdup that got out of control, not a brutal gang leader.

[Nick Hale]

I don't believe it's wrong. I believe it's pointless. However, he did the crime, he deserves to die. And since the US Government has determined that the death penalty should exist, this is one case where it should definitely be carried out. This is a man who murdered four people in cold blood. If I would have to commute a death sentence, it would be of a young man who was in a holdup that got out of control, not a brutal gang leader.

I have to disagree here, hes not still a brutal gang leader, I agree that he should get life without parole he did kill four people, however like Tom said I think it would be a waste for a person doing as good of work as him at educating kids who would normally join a gang as to what kind of life it leads to and why you should avoid it, to be killed just to make a point, I think this is one of those extreme circumstances. Again its not like they are saying let him go, hes not even saying that really, just alot of people don't want to see his teaching end.

[Ray G.]

I have to disagree here, hes not still a brutal gang leader, I agree that he should get life without parole he did kill four people, however like Tom said I think it would be a waste for a person doing as good of work as him at educating kids who would normally join a gang as to what kind of life it leads to and why you should avoid it, to be killed just to make a point, I think this is one of those extreme circumstances. Again its not like they are saying let him go, hes not even saying that really, just alot of people don't want to see his teaching end.

So what you're saying is, anyone on death row should just put on a very good show of redemption, and they should have their sentence commuted?

[Thomas Mauer]

His death now would solve less than giving him life without parole. He's doing a lot of anti-gang work now and it would be a shame if this effort to educate and show other options would be cut short.

[Genius J]

I think they should just put the name "Tookie" to death.